Alas, butcherbirds nest abandoned when tree fern sprouted

In my previous post, I wrote about a pair of Grey Butcherbirds that had built their nest in a tree fern below our house. The problem with tree ferns is that they sprout new fronds from the centre of the trunk, exactly where the birds had built their nest. 

The photos of the nest in my earlier post were taken on the 18th of September. Just a few days later, the tree fern did indeed sprout a new frond, putting the nest at an uncomfortable angle. Still, the butcherbirds persevered. This photo, taken on the 25th of September shows one of the birds sitting determinedly on a very slanted nest, which presumably still contained the three eggs:

Just a day later, the birds had abandoned the nest. I don’t know if the eggs were still in the nest. The tree fern is way too high for me to go up and take a look:

By yesterday, the 5th of October, the new fern frond had pushed the nest to the top of the canopy:

Never mind little butcherbirds, there’s still plenty of time left this season to try again. Or next year perhaps.

Perhaps they’ll have learned something about real estate from this experience. Grey Butcherbirds live for around 20 years, so there’s plenty of time for learning!

Common name: Grey Butcherbird
Scientific name: Cracticus torquatus
Approximate length: 30 cm
Date spotted: 18 September to 5 October 2025 (spring)
Location: Allambie Heights, NSW, Australia

#australia #birds #birdwatching #GreyButcherbird #nests #SydneyBirds

Butcherbird nest in tree fern – hope it survives

A pair of Grey Butcherbirds have built their nest in a tree fern below our house. The problem with tree ferns is that they sprout new fronds from the centre of the trunk, exactly where the nest is now. And these are big fronds! I hope the butcherbirds manage to hatch the eggs and raise their young before the next sprouting happens.

Here’s the nest with a butcherbird sitting on the eggs:

There are at least two eggs, maybe three, in the nest. Here’s a shot taken when the nest was briefly unattended:

Here’s another shot of the bird on the nest, not as closely zoomed in:

This is the tree fern, as seen from my window without zooming in:

It’s interesting to see that inexperienced avian parents can make mistakes about where to place their nests. A while ago, a Red Wattlebird nest appeared in a similar tree fern in another area of our garden. Alas, that nest was very soon skewed and then skewered by a new frond, and had to be abandoned. However, a family of Noisy Miners was more successful.

Grey Butcherbirds incubate the eggs for about 25 days, and the fledgelings leave the nest after about four weeks. Evidently Grey Butcherbirds live around 20 years. That’s a long time, and gives them plenty of time to learn about the best place to build their homes.

Good luck, little butcherbirds!

Common name: Grey Butcherbird
Scientific name: Cracticus torquatus
Approximate length: 30 cm
Date spotted: 18 September 2025 (spring)
Location: Allambie Heights, NSW, Australia

#birds #birdwatching #GreyButcherbird #SydneyBirds

Went for another walk, found some more birds.

Grey Butcherbird, male and female Superb Fairywrens and a Spotted Dove.

#bird #AustralianWildlife #WildOz #GreyButcherbird #SuperbFairywren #SpottedDove

A young Grey Butcherbird hassles its parent for food.

An Australian Pelican, stands around looking stately next to the lake.

And one of four Bush Stone-curlews hanging around together this arvo.

#Bird #AustralianWildlife #WildOz #GreyButcherbird #AustralianPelican #BushStoneCurlew

Today's birds on campus are decidedly spring-themed.

We have a trio of Pied Currawong fledglings.
A parent Masked Lapwing dutifully sitting on eggs.
A Grey Butcherbird fledgling excitedly calling for food as its parent turns up to feed it.
And not following the theme, a Buff-banded Rail on the edge of the lake.

#AustralianWildlife #WildOz #PiedCurrawong #GreyButcherbird #MaskedLapwing #BuffBandedRail #bird

Who needs a bird bath in all this woofin rain!

#WildOz #OzBirds #GreyButcherbird #BirdsInBackyards #WildlifePhotography #nikonphotography #nikond750